Use Of Diabetes Drug 'Actos' Not Linked to Increase Bladder Cancer Risk

Contrary to smaller, prior studies suggesting that diabetes drug 'Actos' might raise users' risk of bladder cancer, the large new study found no evidence for such an effect.

The new study has quashed the claims that the drug raise bladder cancer risk in users, suggesting that it is safer than previously thought. Instead, researchers found a link between the use of Actos (pioglitazone) and a rise in pancreatic cancer risk, but experts say it's too early to draw any conclusive link.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California's Assiamira Ferrara-led team looked at long-term data from nearly 200,000 diabetes patients and found no statistically significant association between taking Actos and increased risk of bladder cancer.

Researcher Igor Astsaturov noted that inflammation is a key risk factor for pancreatic cancer and chronic inflammation is common in people with diabetes. Astsaturov stated that sicker people with more advanced cases of diabetes may also be likelier to be prescribed Actos.

The study is published in Journal of the American Medical Association.

Source: ANI